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Tuesday, September 22, 2015

THIS WEEKEND: Visit the 2015 Norwalk Boat Show…

Courtesy of our regional publication, NortheastBoater.com:
It's time to make your plans to attend the 2015 Norwalk Boat Show – September 24 – 27, 2015 in Norwalk, Connecticut.
We love this first fall show of the year for a lot of reasons, and you will too. It is one of the Northeast’s most popular in-water boat shows and the last in-water boat show in New England of the year!

The Norwalk Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. In fact, the Norwalk Boat Show is the only in-water boat show that the NMMA runs in New England all year long, and one that you will not want to miss.
In addition to the NMMA connection, there are several other reasons that Norwalk is one of our favorite boat shows.

Just the right size
The Norwalk Boat Show is big enough to easily spend a half day walking around the boats in the water and on land, as well as all the boat accessory tents. In fact, it looks like they added another vendor tent this year. If you go to some of the seminars or test drive a boat, you can stretch the show out all day, yet it is also manageable enough to do the whole show in just a few hours.

Free Boating Education
The Annapolis School of Seamanship is offering FREE boating education at the Norwalk Boat Show, where experts will share their expertise on a variety of boating topics. There are also several other free and fee-based opportunities right at the boat show where you can learn to improve your boat handling skills, troubleshoot and repair your boat, get your captain’s license, make docking less stressful, and more. One of the newest features is a Towed Watersports Workshop, where adults and junior boaters (aged 10 and up) can learn boat handling skills and best practices for tubing, skiing and other towed watersports to maximize both fun and safety. Information about all the opportunities to learn more about boating can be found at http://www.boatshownorwalk.com/.

So what are you waiting for?
The 2015 Norwalk Boat Show is open from 10am to 6pm daily, this Thursday through Sunday, September 24–27, 2015. It’s right next to Calf Pasture Beach at Norwalk Cove Marina in East Norwalk, CT. For more information or to reserve your tickets online, visit www.BoatShowNorwalk.com.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Using a stand up paddleboard in a congested harbor requires an increased focus on safety.

Our friends at BoatU.S. recently put together a few standup paddleboard (SUP) safety tips that are critical for anybody using a board in an area populated by sail and/or motor boats. The following tips are primarily aimed at the SUP operator but are
also important to understand from the boater’s point of view, especially
if you are both a boater and a paddleboarder:

When is a paddleboard a boat? According to the US
Coast Guard an SUP is considered a “vessel,” so it’s important to
understand certain boating responsibilities. Follow all local navigation
rules and use common sense when paddling around other vessels that may
not be as maneuverable or are restricted by their draft or size.
Generally, a paddleboard is more easily able to turn and stop whereas
larger craft take time and distance to stop. Typically, it is safest to
pass astern of other vessels and let them cross in front of you. Try to
avoid heavy boat traffic and pick a route away from congestion.

Practice defensive paddling: Defensive paddling is
preventing collisions and mishaps in spite of the actions of others
around you. Remember boats may travel faster than you do and can carry a
large wake. Some boats have awkward blind spots that prevent good
visibility at certain trim angles so don’t assume a boater can always
see you, especially at dawn or dusk. Wear bright colors and wear your
life jacket with a whistle attached. Falling in, or swimming in heavily
trafficked areas can lead to the start of a bad chain of events. In
narrow channels stay as far right as possible and avoid crossing busy
lanes. If you must, cross perpendicular to the lane so you get across
quickly. If in a group, cross as a compact group – spreading out in a
line like a bunch of baby ducks hinders traffic and increases the chance
for a collision.

Don’t leave home without it: A life jacket is the
minimum gear – but it only works if you wear it so don’t leave it
strapped to the board. If you’re concerned about comfort, take a look at
high-tech, low-maintenance belt-pack inflatables or the newest vest
designs that offer complete freedom of movement. Add a whistle – it will
always beat yelling at the top of your lungs. Avoid paddling at night,
but if you must, you’ll have to show a white light in sufficient time to
avoid a collision. A flashlight or headlamp meets this requirement; a
glow stick does not. And finally, a safety leash is most helpful in
preventing an awkward and potentially dangerous separation from your
board.

Photo and SUP safety tips are courtesy of the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water at www.BoatUS.org.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

SailQuest Boat Show

Friday - Sunday, May 1 - 3, 2015, 1-7pm (Fri) 10am-5pm (Sat & Sun)

Mystic Shipyard, 100 Essex St., Mystic, CT, 06355

SailQuest is a unique boutique boat show that focuses on buying and selling sail, trawler, and down east style boats.

The show features free parking and free admission. It's a great personal event ​to go to see boats and talk with dealers and manufacturers.

SailQuest Boat Show will be held at Mystic Shipyard, May 1-3, 2015, and offers a unique perspective to attendees. It prides itself on being a boutique show with multiple opportunities to get on board a variety of power and sail boats. Sea trials will also take place at Mystic Shipyard during the show, giving potential buyers a try-before-you-buy experience.

In addition to boats on the docks, the show will have gear, accessories and service companies on site. This one weekend only show will also have food and beverages on site to benefit Sails Up 4 Cancer, a non-profit organization based in Connecticut.

Bring your friends and family to this show and enjoy Downtown Mystic’s shops, restaurants and of course Historic Mystic Seaport. Mystic Shipyard Address: 100 Essex Street, Mystic, CT 06335. More info at www.sailquestboatshow.com###

Monday, March 30, 2015

BoatUS has released its annual top 10 list of boat names. And while this year's top ten is mostly
comprised of boat names you’ve seen on previous lists, it does seem to include one or two new entries this year. The question is: Is your boat name on the list?

Here is the press release from
BoatUS about the top ten boat names, along with a photo of one of the
boat names on an embroidered shirt from BoatNameGear.com…

Big and small, power or sail, there
are many different kinds of boats and so many different kinds of boat
owners. But the one thing they seem to agree on is how boating makes
them feel, at least if your looking at a boat’s name on the transom.
“Serenity” has been named the #1 boat name for the second year in a row
with the release of the 2015 list of Top Ten Boat Names
from Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). It is also
the name’s tenth appearance on the popular list of boat names issued
annually since 1992 by the recreational boat advocacy, service and
safety group. “Calm, peaceful and untroubled is what boating is all
about for so many boaters,” said BoatUS spokesman Scott Croft.

The BoatUS 2015 list of Top Ten Boat Names:

Serenity

Seas the Day

Andiamo (Italian for “let’s go”)

Aquaholic

Second Wind

Island Time

Happy Ours

Journey

Serendipity

Relentless

Croft says boaters frequently come to BoatUS to get ideas for a name
by taking a peek at the Association’s online list of over 8,000 boat
names, then use the free and easy layout program to, “Start playing
around with a boat name to get an idea of what it will look like,
picking letter styles and colors.” Boaters can then choose to either
order online or if they want some more creative help, may use the BoatUS
Premium Boat Graphics service that offers the talents of a professional
designer. An online photo gallery can also help boaters also narrow
down a choice.

“Picking a boat name can be harder than naming one’s own child,” said Croft, who has
had to name several of his boats through the years. “Boat names can
reflect your lifestyle, your relationship to loved ones or what you do
for a living. And that’s only the beginning.” For the record, Croft’s
first boat name was “Constitution” because, “We happened to name her on a
July 4th weekend and I had only a limited choice of ugly
hardware store letters.” For his second boat name, Croft chose “Aiden
R.” after his only son and used the BoatUS graphics service. “Kids
sometimes think it’s pretty cool to have their name on a boat. It’s also
a real safe bet for parent to choose – but only if you have one child,”
he said with a smile.

Friday, March 20, 2015

MYSTIC SHIPYARD TO HOST 8TH ANNUAL SAILQUEST BOAT SHOW - TO SUPPORT SAILS UP 4 CANCER, MAY 1-3, 2015

SailQuest Boat Show Companies announced recently that Mystic Shipyard will be the location for its annual boutique boat show to be held May 1-3, 2015. This family-oriented show will feature new sailboats, trawlers, downeast-style powerboats, kayaks, paddle boards and select brokerage yachts for sale, from 12 to over 50 feet long. Located in the heart of historic Mystic, Connecticut, Mystic Shipyard is offering free parking and free admission to the show.

“We are excited to hold SailQuest at Mystic Shipyard. Boutique shows give our clients the opportunity to view their favorite brands without the crowds and hassles of the big fall shows. Mystic offers many attractions and is known for its special place in maritime history. Having the show in early May makes SailQuest the kickoff to the 2015 boating season,” states Tom Pilkington, Prestige Yacht Sales, Norwalk, CT.

SailQuest Boat Show Companies will be supporting Sails Up 4 Cancer Organization at the show. Sails Up 4 Cancer is a non profit organization dedicated to funding research in the education, prevention, and cure for all types of cancer through the art and enjoyment of sailing.

Bring your friends and family to this show and enjoy Downtown Mystic’s shops, restaurants and of course Historic Mystic Seaport.

About SailQuest Boat Show Companies: Since 2008, they have brought this boutique boat show to Connecticut shoreline mariners for many years and prides itself on holding the show in various towns along the shoreline.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

There's a big boat show this weekend, and if you're looking to escape the lingering cold weather that we're still experiencing here in much of the northern United States, this event is something you should consider. We just received this press release and frankly, our staff was tempted to book a flight to Columbia...

Boaters and boating enthusiasts will gather at the annual Cartagena International Boat Show on March 21-23, 2015 to see, try and buy the latest industry offerings. Celebrating its third year, the trade show is the ideal place to discover the best of the best in the world of sailing, and will be the focal point in the latest innovations, large lineup of new boat releases and maritime technology.

Large nautical companies from around the world will be exhibiting the latest in luxury yachts, sailboats, personal watercraft and sport fishing boats at the Cartagena Convention Center. The event also will feature lectures conducted by experts in the field.

Likewise attendees can also see the facilities (marine shipyard or dry) that allow Cartagena to serve boats (yachts, sails, among others) that navigate around the city's coast.

For the first time, the event will feature a Colombian Nautical pavilion called Destino Colombia, a stage dedicated to presenting and promoting the most representative nautical tourist destinations in the country.

Prominent destinations in the country for sports and nautical tourism include: surfing in Nuquí, a Pacific coast municipality, and windsurfing and diving in San Andres, Santa Marta, Cartagena and Barranquilla, all located on Colombia's Caribbean coast.

Colombia has more than 120 destinations in 32 departments that offer incredible nautical adventures such as fishing, canoeing, rafting, rappelling, sailing and kayaking, among others.

Cruise-line offerings will also be showcased at the event, as Cartagena receives 95 percent of cruise ships arriving to the country.

In 2014, Cartagena received 310,957 cruise-line travelers, an increase from 306,471 in 2013.

Cartagena is the only city in Colombia with cruise boarding operations, with a growing number of passengers embarking from its ports. In 2013, 49,879 passengers embarked on cruise-lines at the city's port, and in 2014 this figure was 55,139. The majority of passengers embarking on cruise-lines were from Cartagena are Colombians (71.5%), followed by Brazil (19.2%), Argentina (5.7%) and Chile (0.7%), respectively.

Likewise, the Colombian Pacific coast has extended its offer for more cruises to enter the country. The port, with landfalls in Utria and Bahia Solano, received a cruise with tourists for the first time in 2014, which has opened the door to the region as an attractive destination in an industry that moves more than 20 million people a year.

For this third celebration of nautical tourism, the Cartagena International Boat Show is expected to draw more than 5,000 attendees, including buyers and sellers, contributing to the city’s and the region's position as an attractive destination for nautical business.